Official Star Wars Weekends Thread Tips and Tricks 2015

[yulilin3]

I find all of this very confusing. Not enough information and what there is is scattered over several sites. I was trying to come up with a schedule for our primary day at SWW and this is what I have so far. Any comments, suggestions, etc., would be greatly appreciated. SW stuff is priority as we will be there for 6 nights and can do the regular stuff anytime.

7:15 arrive at DHS (from BLT we would have to take the very first bus - will it get there in time or do I need a cab?)
7:30 Storm Troopers pre-show
8:00 park opening
10:00 sign in for Premium FtF package
11:00 watch Parade from FtF reserved spot (anyone know where this is? I booked the Premium package if that makes a difference)
1:00 arrive at theatre for 1:45 Rebel show (only one 1 care about as I have FP+ for the other two on different days)
(3:00 GMR FP+)
3:30 Stars of the Saga we have a FP for this Friday but if it's good, he may want to go again)
(4:00 LMA FP+)
5:40 Star Tours FP+
(7:00 Obi-Wan and beyond - we have a FP+ for Saturday so will stick with that)
7:00 arrive at H&V for 7:30 dinner (not sure how long this lasts to meet all the characters)
8:15 (or whatevertime dinner is done - ) Dessert party
9:30 Fireworks preshow
9:45 Fireworks
Questions:
1) Is there a map for 2015 SWW stuff that I can download? Seems like they moved a bunch of stuff from last time and I get lost easily)
2) Does someone have a good specific description of what is included in the FtFPremium package? A lot of info is assuming we know what stuff means...
2) If I read it correctly, we get no-wait admission to Darth Mall. When should we do that, if he does not already have his stuff that he wants to buy?

check with front desk at what time the first bus comes or take a cab
Ftf Premium package is on the left side facing GMR and the event stage. You get your credentials close to Min and Bills.
3pm GMR fp is not going to help you if you are doing SotS. Remember the pre show starts at 3:15pm it is really good.
It'll probably take you about 15 minutes to walk from Theater of the Stars to LMA
Obi Wan and Beyond is about 30 minutes, sometimes it runs a bit longer so not sure if you'll make it to H&V in time. The dinner lasts about an hour
SWW maps are not released until maybe the week before the first weekend
The Darth's Mall direct access is only for people with the Deluxe Premium. Read the first post for info on both packages. We still have to get official word on them though, so some details might change

 

[jennab113]

I've been trying to get the Rebel show for any day of the first weekend, and nothing is available. Am I doing something wrong? I even had a CM check and was told it was full...

do you have something already booked on Tier 1?? or is any other fp conflicting with the times of the show?

I just tried to change my T1 to Rebels and it shows up, but I can't select it. I also can't select the JAT show. I already have SOTS. I know my other FPs don't conflict because they are both pre-parade. The system also seemed a little wonky though, so there could be something going on.

 

[yulilin3]

Can anyone tell me about "Trading with Jawas" ?

you bring little trinkets. Jawas like shiny stuff, so glow sticks, plastic jewelry, trading cards, anything really that is small and inexpensive. You approach them and ask if they want to trade. You show them what you get, they'll get it and dig into their own bags and they give you something

 

[MakiraMarlena]

with a fastpass for a show you MUST arrive before the end of the fastpass window. If your window closes at 3 and you show up at 3 and 20 seconds they will send you to the standby line.

 

[yulilin3]

There was a whole controversy last year, first weekend.
They let people from standby in at the same time as fp. The problem was that, since it was fp people had to touch their mb or cards and that took longer. So standby got better seats at Premiere. They fixed that the following weekends but still, they gave about 10 minutes for fp to start coming in before having standby start coming in.
Now in this new theater they will probably have an area reserved for fp and separated from standby, at least that's how they load the regular Beauty and the Beast show.
I would line up 30 minutes before the show if I had a fp.

 

[Cad0587]

Does anyone know where I can read about someone's first hand experience with the Feel the Force package from last year or anyone on here who can attest to it? I just hope they don't allow TOO many people to book it and therefore in the "VIP seating area" you're still fighting for a seat/place to stand.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

It's usually announced on the DPB. By the time they do there won't be many spots left

Sounds like the SW meals when they announced them last year it was too little too late, the public could barely get in on them.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I did it last year but I wasn't all that interested in seeing the parade so stood closer to the stage. It was to get photos of Mark Hamill really. I was standing where they get out of the car to go up to the stage so I got lots of pictures of him. However, trying to get photos of everybody on the stage was a disaster. And yes, I had a friend with me and we got in line before 10 and waited in that area an hour before the parade - sitting on the ground (there were no chairs and you stood up before the parade started). There was a woman behind us who complained the whole time that she had to stand in a line. Other entertainment was guests walking by who decided that they could just lift the rope, go under it and stand in front of those who had paid for the privilege. If the CMs weren't watching the guests set them straight.

If it works the same way this year you must be in line early if you want to stand at the rope with nobody standing in front of you.

And they gave us a package with autographed pictures from the celebrities (Mark Hamill excluded).

Loved the dessert party but I can't talk about how it was supposed to go, because it rained and the party got moved to Disney Jr. Which was a lot of fun. I hope it gets moved to Disney Jr. again.

 

[Felipe4]

He's going to love it!!!

HE BETTER LOVE IT.

I'm not even a Star Wars fan (I know, this is sacrilege), but I'm super psyched. I mean, I know about Star Wars - I've seen all the Star Wars movies (I'll admit I only saw Ep II & III because Hayden Christensen was shirtless and have not seen them since). I can keep up with the lingo. Heck, the theater company I started is putting up a reading of William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope on May 4th (I'm playing Dodonna, a Jawa, and Porkins - the BF is Luke!) and we're having a fight director do a Jedi workshop this weekend as a fundraiser. But I have not seen Clone Wars, Rebels, or read any of the books nor has the BF - he only likes the original 3 movies and that's it. That said he's beyond excited for Ep VII!

 

[Arich01]

I know this is a little OT or mentioned before, but check out what they are going to do on the SW Cruise! http://disneycastawaymagazine.com/ecompass.php?device=desktop Just got this in my email!

 

[yulilin3]

Does anyone know where I can read about someone's first hand experience with the Feel the Force package from last year or anyone on here who can attest to it? I just hope they don't allow TOO many people to book it and therefore in the "VIP seating area" you're still fighting for a seat/place to stand.

I'll give you my impressions and then link some other reviews:
First Disney tells you to check in at 10 for the parade I would be there by 9:30am if you want a front row view. Last year they had issues for the first weekend (hence why I call it guinea pig weekend) but then they had all the kids sit down in the front and the parents could sit or stand behind them, that way the kids got a good view. It's not packed but it can go back 2 and sometimes 3 rows of people behind The spot is good to watch the stage, as the character come up to the stage and good for the parade, it stays mostly shaded, so that's a plus.
The fireworks/dessert party was my favorite part. There's no need to line up before 8:30 unless you want a table all by yourself. The thing I liked most about it was the chill atmosphere, we came and went from our table, no seats just high bar tables (we shared with a guy that was by himself) got desserts, drinks, listened to the Galacitc dance party by DJ Lobot. The fireworks viewing wasn't the best but if you moved toward the right of the reserved area you could see them fine. This year the hat won't be there so that will help alot.
Just my opinion
http://www.doctordisney.com/2014/05...the-force-premium-package-star-wars-weekends/
http://www.mousesteps.com/dining-ma...essert-party-event-at-star-wars-weekends-2014

 

[yulilin3]

HE BETTER LOVE IT.

I'm not even a Star Wars fan (I know, this is sacrilege), but I'm super psyched. I mean, I know about Star Wars - I've seen all the Star Wars movies (I'll admit I only saw Ep II & III because Hayden Christensen was shirtless and have not seen them since). I can keep up with the lingo. Heck, the theater company I started is putting up a reading of William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope on May 4th (I'm playing Dodonna, a Jawa, and Porkins - the BF is Luke!) and we're having a fight director do a Jedi workshop this weekend as a fundraiser. But I have not seen Clone Wars, Rebels, or read any of the books nor has the BF - he only likes the original 3 movies and that's it. That said he's beyond excited for Ep VII!

Wait...WHAT!!!!

 

[lvstitch]

Just pre-ordered Star Wars: A New Hope on Itunes

 

[Cluelyss]

I know it's not "Disney Official" but the word is out. No new/different info than what we knew yesterday (actually, it's even more vague!)

http://*******************.com/feel-force-premium-packages/

 

[AThrillingChase]

I've been trying to get the Rebel show for any day of the first weekend, and nothing is available. Am I doing something wrong? I even had a CM check and was told it was full...

Hmm, are you sure nothing is conflicting? The return time for the FP will not be at show start, it is something like 20 minutes beforehand. I have Friday and Sunday as SWW days and I had choices of all shows just last night when I changed it, for both days.

 

[lovethattink]

Something I just remembered from last year.
The weekend that Mark Hamill was here and did his A Conversation With show there were, obviously, a lot of people that wanted in and didn't have a fp for it.
What Disney did was that they had CM at the theater handing out standby tickets, first thing in the morning, for people interested so they didn't have to make the line for hours and hours.
So what people without a fp did:
At rope drop they went to the theater, got a standby ticket that would guarantee that they got into the show and then that person could enjoy the rest of the morning.
At showtime VIP and fp got in first and then all the people on standby with a standby ticket, and then if there were still seats, people that didn't have a standby ticket.
I think this is how Frozen Sing Along use to be at first as well @lovethattink right?
I'm not sure if it'll be the same this year but for anyone going weekend 5 without a fp for Frank Oz show there could still be a way to get in.
Also last year for the MH show they broadcast it on the Jumbotron of the old AIE, they had a large screen on Streets of America and the actual AIE theater was showing it inside as well. This year we won't have the inside of AIE but they might, again, do all the other one so people that can't go inside the Theater of the Stars could still watch the show

Yes. You couldn't get in the show without a ticket or FP. They also showed it in A&E and on the jumbotrons

 

[yulilin3]

Premium packages live on the Disney site
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force-premium-packages/

 

[Tltorrez]

Day 1 is pretty packed. SotS try and get there as early as you can. It'll be busy

Day 1 is packed but if we miss anything (except the 7pm show) we can catch it up on Day 2.

I'm not sure that we really need a full 2 1/2 hours for lunch break but I wanted to be able to relax out of the heat without being rushed. We could cut it short. Or I could move SotS to the last day. Though if it got rained out or something that would suck.

How much time would you recommend to guarantee a seat (any seat) for SotS on the 15th?

 

[lvstitch]

Premium packages live on the Disney site
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/feel-the-force-premium-packages/

Server is Busy

 

[yulilin3]

So it looks like the info we have is pretty much on point. Only beverages no ice cream for the parade for either package. No seating for the dessert party for either package. And the Deluxe Premium will include all the shows that are available that day.